Statistics show that most people would simply stand because of hesitation and fear when they see someone suffering from cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association has been making great efforts to educate the public on how to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use home AED during cardiac arrest emergencies. Public access to defibrillation has been the focus of these efforts for the past few years.
Defibrillation refers to the process wherein an electric shock is delivered to the heart using an electronic device, such as automated external defibrillator. According to studies, CPR attempts along with AED improve rates of survival by 49%. If immediate help is not readily applied, the victim's survival rate decreases with every passing minute by 10%.
Awareness of the need and effectiveness of CPR is critical. CPR is an emergency procedure that combines breathing and chest compressions to victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The procedure helps in supporting the flow of blood to the heart and brain until normal heart function is restored. Most people are unaware that only half of the patients require defibrillation during sudden cardiac arrest; others need CPR. Normally, after the use of Philips AED, the device will prompt the rescuer to continue doing CPR.
Trainings on CPR and use of home defibrillator is provided by the American Red Cross to help people overcome the hesitation and fear of using an automated external defibrillator. People of any age group can attend this course. It can also be customized to meet the requirements of every individual or group. Completion of the course by the American Red Cross makes an individual a certified rescuer with a nationally recognized course completion certificate.
Home AED is designed to be used easily by non-medical persons, similar to other Physio-Control products. Best for defibrillating a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, it comes in two models with step-by-step voice prompt. The voice command system guides the user through out the rescue process. Philips defibrillator is intelligently and safely designed that it can also be used to an infant or child victimized by sudden cardiac arrest. It has an internal memory that allows you to store ECG data, which can later be reviewed by the emergency medical service personnel.
The semi-automatic model assesses the victim's heart rhythm, and then prompts you to apply the electrodes to the victim's chest if the patient needs defibrillation. The fully automatic version does the rest of the process after the rescuer applied the electric shocks-analyzes heart's rhythm and administers shock if needed. This is the same gadget used by police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services during emergencies.
Three hundred fifty thousand adults die from sudden cardiac arrest in the US each year. If AED programs are effectively implemented, it is possible to save 20,000 to 100,000 lives. Use of Philips home defibrillator can save the lives of 90% of its victims, if help is immediately given within the first minute of sudden cardiac arrest.
The American Heart Association is a voluntary health organization that aims to protect and help people from heart diseases and stroke since it was established in 1924. The association is working towards the goal of reducing coronary heart disease, stroke, and risk by 25% by 2010.
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